393 results
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2. Racial Othering and Relational Wellbeing: African Refugee Youth in Australia.
- Author
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Molla, Tebeje
- Subjects
OTHER (Philosophy) ,YOUNG adults ,WELL-being ,SHAME ,CAPABILITIES approach (Social sciences) ,GANG violence ,YOUTH violence - Abstract
Racialised and culturally distinct refugee groups increasingly face hostilities and negative representations in countries of resettlment. The experience of African refugee youth in Australia illustrates this general trend. This paper explores how racial Othering discourse seriously undermines the group's wellbeing. The article concentrates in particular on two aspects of relational wellbeing, the capacity to move in public without fear or shame and the ability to feel a sense of belonging to the place where one lives in. Theoretically, the paper draws together work on wellbeing from a capability approach and relational perspective with interdisciplinary literature on racial Othering. Empirically, the paper demonstrates the pervasive culture of racial Othering through media identifications of African youth with criminality and gang violence and illustrates impacts on young people's wellbeing through data from interviews with African refugee youth. The youth's accounts show how it feels to be a problem and what it means not to belong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Time to solve persistent, pernicious and widespread nursing workforce shortages.
- Author
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Peters, Micah
- Subjects
NURSE supply & demand ,NURSES ,OCCUPATIONAL roles ,PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout ,HOSPITAL nursing staff ,MEDICAL care ,HEALTH policy ,LABOR turnover ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,NURSING care facilities ,WORLD health ,INTENTION ,TIME ,LABOR supply ,COVID-19 pandemic ,WELL-being - Abstract
Aim: This paper discusses four main strategies for addressing nursing shortages that have been persistent, widespread and growing. Fallout from the COVID‐19 pandemic might offer valuable impetus to address this tenacious challenge. Background: Nursing shortages are common, widespread and have been persistent for most of a century. Many of the reasons behind these shortages are well known and are themselves enduring, as are the types of strategies put forward for addressing them. These strategies can generally be classified into four main categories: enhancing retention, improving recruitment, encouraging return to practice and drawing on international human resources. The COVID‐19 pandemic is the latest major threat to ensuring a sufficiently sized and skilled nursing workforce. Many nurses have succumbed to burnout as well the plethora of factors that predated the pandemic and have a negative impact on nurse wellbeing, turnover and intention to leave. Sources of evidence: This discussion paper draws on international sources of evidence. Discussion/conclusion: This paper highlights how many of the factors behind and strategies for addressing nursing shortages at the local, national and global levels are widely studied and known. A sustained combination of strategies that focus both within and beyond health and nursing, including on the broader social context, is necessary. While COVID‐19 has been extremely damaging, it might present an opportunity to make sustainable, effective reforms to address nursing shortages. Implications for policy: Knowledge users must recognise that a combination of approaches across the gamut of policies that influence nursing workforces is necessary to address nursing shortages. Attention must also focus on factors beyond nursing and healthcare if shortages are to be remedied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
4. Sampling approaches and geographic coverage in Mayi Kuwayu: the national study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing.
- Author
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Thandrayen, Joanne, Walker, Jennie, Chapman, Janet, Lovett, Raymond, and Thurber, Katherine A
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INDIGENOUS Australians ,INDIGENOUS children ,WELL-being ,CONVENIENCE sampling (Statistics) ,SNOWBALL sampling - Abstract
Objective: The objective of this paper is to investigate the geographic distribution of participants in Mayi Kuwayu, the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing. The Mayi Kuwayu Study is the largest national longitudinal study of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (aged 16 years and over) in Australia. It is an Aboriginal-led and governed Study with embedded community engagement. The Study collects data through self-report questionnaires, using multiple sampling approaches: (1) a large-scale mail-out based on stratified random sampling; (2) convenience sampling; (3) snowball sampling; (4) voluntary sampling. A comparison of the geographic distribution of Mayi Kuwayu Study participants to that of the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was also conducted. Results: A total of 9,843 people participated in the Mayi Kuwayu Study baseline survey from 2018 to 2022. Participants resided in all Australian States and Territories. The geographic distribution of participants broadly matched the total population distribution, with participants generally located on the east and south-east coast of Australia. Apparent differences in the geographic distribution were identified by sex and age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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5. The psychosocial experience of cancer: a meta-analysis of Australian rural versus urban populations.
- Author
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Barnes, Marisa, Thorsteinsson, Einar Baldvin, and Rice, Kylie
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META-analysis , *POPULATION geography , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *ODDS ratio , *RURAL conditions , *METROPOLITAN areas , *CANCER patient psychology , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *WELL-being - Abstract
Understanding the psychological wellbeing of people with cancer is a key component of assessment and intervention in quality cancer care. However, the unique experiences of rural cancer populations are less often explored than those from urban centres. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of Australian studies that compared the psychological wellbeing experiences of people with cancer from rural and urban locations. Five databases were searched, and 19 studies, involving 16,947 participants, assessing and comparing the psychological wellbeing of rural and urban populations with cancer were included. The analysis indicated that Australian rural cancer populations have greater odds of worse psychological wellbeing than those from urban areas (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.01, 2.35], p = 0.044). This disparity remains when cancer types are analysed separately, with a slightly smaller odds ratio for rural people with breast cancer (OR = 1.29, 95%CI [1.01, 1.64], p = 0.046) and a slightly larger odds ratio when cancers excluding breast cancer were reviewed (OR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.59, 2.01], p = <.001). Significant heterogeneity was found. Despite increasing emphasis in Australia on psychological wellbeing throughout the cancer journey, there remain significant disparities whereby rural people experience greater impacts upon their psychological wellbeing. The wellbeing of Australian rural populations with cancer remains an area in which clinical and political focus is imperative. Whilst screening is a necessary first step, additional clinical implications for improving rural access to appropriately skilled health professionals who provide oncology-specific assessment and intervention are suggested. What is already known: Cancer is a major public health issue, and its psychosocial impacts are substantial, not just on patients but on their families and the broader community. The prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress is higher amongst people with cancer than the general population. However, identification, treatment, and provision of psychological support is inconsistent across services and geographical areas, and notably lacking in rural areas. Disparities in screening, assessment and intervention for psychological wellbeing in people with cancer remain, despite the fact that systematic application of screening, appropriate referral, and intervention can improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs associated with inpatient and outpatient cancer care. What this paper adds: This article extends outcomes from previous systematic reviews and analyses from Australia and internationally with the addition of meta-analytic methods. It was specifically designed to solely focus on Australian cancer populations. The results suggest that Australian rural populations with cancer may have anywhere from 30% to 70% greater odds of experiencing poorer psychological wellbeing than those from urban areas. This paper highlights ongoing disparities in rural psycho-oncology that may be impacting wellbeing outcomes from rural people in Australia, and urges psychologists, other health professionals, and policy-makers to proactively address these inequities with improved screening, assessment and intervention for their rural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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6. Adapting to change: exploring perceptions and demands of the coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce changes – an Australian multi-institutional radiation oncology survey.
- Author
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Magon, Honor, Smith, Justin, Besson, Jacqueline, Hau, Eric, Taylor, Suzanne, Ruben, Jeremy, Jones, Diana, Mabb, Kira, Feldman, Jamie, Gholam Rezaei, Leily, and Lee, Yoo Young
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WORK ,OCCUPATIONAL adaptation ,PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout ,WORK-life balance ,PATIENT care ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,WORKING hours ,TELEMEDICINE ,JOB satisfaction ,MEDICAL radiology ,ATTITUDES of medical personnel ,RESEARCH ,JOB stress ,ONCOLOGISTS ,MEDICAL needs assessment ,DATA analysis software ,COVID-19 pandemic ,EMERGENCY management ,WELL-being ,EXPERIENTIAL learning - Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) initiated workplace strategies implemented in radiation oncology departments across Australia. Methods: A multidisciplinary team from Princess Alexandra Hospital developed a survey to address the impact of the pandemic strategies on areas such as patient care, staff education, well-being, flexible working arrangements, and research. The survey was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021. Results: Out of 210 respondents from seven institutions, 45% reported burnout and 57% experienced work work-related stress. A significant majority of respondents were in favour of continued remote work (86%, 131/153). Radiation oncologists identified administrative or non-clinical work (92%, 34/37), telehealth clinics (32%, 12/37), or radiation therapy planning (22%, 8/37) as suitable for remote work. Additionally, 54% (21/39) of the radiation oncologists plan to use telehealth more frequently, with 67% (26/39) feeling more confident with the technology. The majority (81%, 171/210) of participants favoured continuation of hybrid in-person and virtual meetings. Virtual solutions were adopted for quality assurance activities (72%, 118/165) and 52% (60/116) indicated preference for ongoing utility of virtual platforms. However, 38% (79/210) of the respondents expressed concerns about the negative impact on junior staff training. Conclusion: These findings reveal a strong inclination towards technological advancements and remote work arrangements to enable flexible working conditions. Our study suggests the need for ongoing reforms, focusing on improving clinical service delivery efficiencies and enhancing job satisfaction among clinicians. What is known about the topic? During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there were significant adaptations required to the delivery of clinical care. What does this paper add? There is a strong preference for ongoing work from home arrangements, especially for administrative and non-clinical work. Most radiation oncologists feel more confident using telehealth and favour its ongoing use post-pandemic. Burnout and stress remain prevalent within the workforce. What are the implications for practitioners? There is a high demand among the radiation oncology workforce for adoption of technological advances to improve work satisfaction including remote access to enable flexible work arrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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7. Reducing seclusion and restraint in an acute adolescent psychiatric ward: A feasibility study.
- Author
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Lee‐Aube, Angel, Vakili, Alexandra, Padhi, Ashwini, Joseph, Sumithira, Norcott, Julie, and Yap, Keong
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SAFETY ,SICK leave ,PSYCHOTHERAPY patients ,SCALE analysis (Psychology) ,CURRICULUM ,HUMAN services programs ,JOB absenteeism ,CRONBACH'S alpha ,HOSPITAL nursing staff ,PILOT projects ,CHILD psychiatry ,MEDICAL care ,VIOLENCE against medical personnel ,SCIENTIFIC observation ,PARAMETERS (Statistics) ,SECLUSION of psychiatric hospital patients ,RESTRAINT of patients ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,MANN Whitney U Test ,THEMATIC analysis ,SURVEYS ,SELF-mutilation ,MATHEMATICAL statistics ,RESEARCH methodology ,COMMUNICATION ,PSYCHIATRIC hospitals ,PSYCHOLOGY of caregivers ,DATA analysis software ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,WELL-being ,NONPARAMETRIC statistics - Abstract
Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject: Restraining and secluding health consumers for safety reasons continue to be used in psychiatric inpatient facilities even though they have no therapeutic value and have negative effects on consumers, families and staff.Six Core Strategies (6CS) for reducing seclusion and restraint have been developed to address this problem but there are very few effectiveness studies in inpatient adolescent psychiatric facilities. What the paper adds to existing knowledge: We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the implementation of 6CS in an adolescent psychiatric facility. The implementation was successful. It eliminated the use of seclusion, substantially reduced the use of restraints and significantly reduced staff absenteeism.Using thematic analysis on feedback surveys, we identified five dominant themes that described consumers' and carers' experiences during their stay at the facility: communication, service delivery, flexibility, consistency and internal feeling states. What are the implications for practice: This study provides support for the feasibility of a comprehensive and broad‐based intervention program such as 6CS to reduce seclusion and restraint practices in inpatient mental health facilities.This study also demonstrates the value of using surveys to gather consumer and carer feedback and improve outcomes for service users. Introduction: Seclusion and restraint practices are routinely used in psychiatric facilities but are controversial for ethical, legal and safety reasons, and can cause significant harm to consumers, staff and organisations. Six Core Strategies (6CS) for reducing seclusion and restraint were developed to address this problem but very few studies have examined their effectiveness in adolescent settings. Aim/Question: To evaluate the implementation of 6CS in an adolescent inpatient psychiatric facility. Method: We retrieved archival data from an acute adolescent psychiatric ward that implemented the 6CS. Using a mixed methods approach, we evaluated outcomes on the use of seclusion and restraint, nursing staff sick leave and feedback surveys. Results: Findings showed an elimination of seclusion, and a significant reduction in restraint use and staff absenteeism in the 12 months after project implementation. Thematic analysis of feedback survey responses identified communication, service delivery, flexibility, consistency and internal feeling states as dominant themes in consumers' and carers' experience on the unit. Discussion: The 6CS is feasible and may be effective in reducing seclusion and restraint, which in turn may have a positive impact on staff wellbeing. Implications for Practice: Implementation of the 6CS with executive support, combined with staff and programmatic changes at a local level is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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8. Experiences of ageing in place in Australia and New Zealand: A scoping review.
- Author
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Rose, Katie, Kozlowski, Desirée, and Horstmanshof, Louise
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WELL-being ,CINAHL database ,PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems ,HOME environment ,SOCIAL support ,ACTIVE aging ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,MENTAL health ,SATISFACTION ,ATTITUDES toward aging ,CONGREGATE housing ,INDEPENDENT living ,LITERATURE reviews ,MEDLINE ,OLD age - Abstract
This review aimed to inform a deeper understanding of the varied experiences of ageing in place for older adults in Australia and New Zealand. Ageing in place involves older adults remaining in their own home or community as they age rather than moving into residential care. Our focus was on how ageing in place relates to older adults' mental health, life satisfaction, wellbeing, and overall ability to adapt well to ageing. This paper followed PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Of the initial 210 papers identified, 20 met inclusion criteria and were retained. Four key themes related to experiences of ageing in place and the skills and strategies utilised to age in place were extracted from these studies. Themes encompassed older adults' individual characteristics and strategies, their connections to community, their home environment, and the appropriateness of support and services. We conclude that ageing in place should not be considered a "one size fits all" approach to ageing. Policymakers, researchers, and governments should acknowledge that older adults are a diverse group. Future ageing policy should strive to accommodate all older adults regardless of their circumstances or ageing preferences and researchers should include older adults from diverse populations and circumstances. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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9. The importance of aesthetics in workplace environments: an investigation into employees' satisfaction, feelings of safety and comfort in a university.
- Author
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Barton, Georgina and Le, Anh Hai
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WORK environment ,JOB satisfaction ,EMPLOYEE well-being ,DAYLIGHT ,SATISFACTION ,AESTHETICS ,AESTHETICS education - Abstract
Purpose: Employee satisfaction is critical in any workplace. Research suggests that the environment that people work in can contribute greatly to levels of satisfaction as well as productivity. Limited research exists, however, on how the aesthetics of a workplace impact both employee satisfaction and well-being. This paper aims to identify whether the aesthetics in a workplace environment at one university influences employee satisfaction and well-being. Design/methodology/approach: This paper shares data from a survey that determined whether the workplace environment at one university in Queensland, Australia supports its workers' job satisfaction and well-being. The survey was distributed amongst all staff at three campuses with a total of 73 usable responses. Findings: Findings showed that there is a strong need for an aesthetically pleasing workplace and its positive impacts on employees. In addition, an aesthetically pleasing workplace was perceived to have a positive impact on the respondents' likelihood of spending more time at work, hence, a greater sense of satisfaction. The respondents indicated a moderate level of satisfaction with the aesthetics of their workspace and environment including feeling safe. Research limitations/implications: Implications show that further improvements could be attained in the workplace through the addition of natural lighting, plants and artwork. The employees also indicated they would like more control over the aesthetics of the work environment. Originality/value: This research is original as it was not known whether aesthetics in the workplace influenced worker satisfaction and/or well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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10. Communication services for First Nations peoples after stroke and traumatic brain injury: Alignment of Sustainable Development Goals 3, 16 and 17.
- Author
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Armstrong, Elizabeth, Mcallister, Meaghan, Coffin, Juli, Robinson, Melanie, Thompson, Sandra, Katzenellenbogen, Judith, Colegate, Kerri, Papertalk, Lenny, Hersh, Deborah, Ciccone, Natalie, and White, Jane
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WELL-being ,CULTURE ,STROKE ,HEALTH status indicators ,MEDICAL care ,COMMUNICATIVE disorders ,BRAIN injuries ,SUSTAINABLE development ,GOAL (Psychology) ,DISEASE complications - Abstract
Colonisation and continuing discrimination have significantly and negatively impacted the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations peoples globally. In Australia, Aboriginal cultures thrive despite ongoing barriers to health care. This paper describes challenges and new initiatives for Australian Aboriginal people with acquired communication disability after brain injury and their alignment with the global aims forming the Sustainable Development Goals. Research undertaken by an Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal multidisciplinary team over a decade in Western Australia identified and responded to mismatches between community needs and services. Initiatives described include the Missing Voices, Healing Right Way, Brain Injury Yarning Circles and Wangi/Yarning Together projects. Recommendations implemented related to (a) greater incorporation of Aboriginal cultural protocols and values within services, (b) more culturally secure assessment and treatment tools, (c) support after hospital discharge, (d) Aboriginal health worker involvement in support. Implementation includes cultural training of hospital staff, trialling new assessment and treatment methods, and establishing community-based Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinator positions and relevant peer support groups. Culturally secure brain injury rehabilitation in Australia is in its infancy. Our initiatives challenge assumptions about worldviews and established Western biomedical models of healthcare through incorporating Indigenous methodologies and leadership, and community-driven service delivery. This commentary paper focuses on Sustainable Development Goals 3, 16 and 17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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11. Are Factors Associated with Adult Refugees' Settlement different from Well-Being? A Longitudinal Study focusing on Gender and Age in Australia.
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MAHADEVAN, RENUKA and JAYASINGHE, MANEKA
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PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience ,SATISFACTION ,PSYCHOLOGY of refugees ,SEX distribution ,LIFE expectancy ,AGE distribution ,HAPPINESS ,QUALITY of life ,SOCIAL support ,REFUGEES ,WELL-being - Abstract
Using three waves of data and tracing the same refugees over time, this paper shows that some factors associated with settlement experience are different from life satisfaction. Evidence shows that although settlement experience has not improved over time, life satisfaction of both male and female refugees has. The non-linear effect of age on life satisfaction disappears over time while that of settlement experience lingers on. Discrimination affects both male and female life satisfaction but is only a concern for females and the younger cohort's settlement experience. Psychological capital did not appear to moderate the discrimination effect, but this needs to be robustly examined further. Lastly, different support for refugees over time and a targeted focus on some groups is likely to be more effective than a blanket support policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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12. The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Australian visual artists and arts workers.
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Lye, Jenny, Hirschberg, Joe, McQuilten, Grace, Powell, Chloë, MacNeill, Kate, and Badham, Marnie
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- *
WELL-being , *COVID-19 , *COVID-19 pandemic , *ART materials , *MEDIA art - Abstract
In this paper, we assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the Australian visual arts sector. We base our analysis on the responses of over 1500 visual artists and arts workers to a survey conducted by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), the national peak body for the visual and media arts, craft and design sector in September 2021. NAVA employed this online survey to study the relationship between the pandemic and both the incomes and mental health of artists and arts workers. Using regression analysis, we find that there has been a significant impact for both artists and arts workers, with the severity of the impacts varying by gender, age and the availability of state‐based and Australian Government support programmes. Reduced hours and loss of contracted work and commissions due to the pandemic were both related to declines in income and mental health outcomes for artists and for arts workers. Housing stress was associated with a higher likelihood of a significant or extreme mental health impact for artists and arts workers. In addition, artists' incomes and mental health outcomes were impacted when faced with a reduced ability to sell, although some artists were able to increase their online profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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13. Staff perceptions of the effectiveness of managerial communication during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study.
- Author
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Doleman, Gemma, Coventry, Linda, Towell‐Barnard, Amanda, Ghosh, Manonita, Gent, Lucy, Saunders, Rosemary, and O'Connell, Beverly
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WELL-being ,RESEARCH ,KRUSKAL-Wallis Test ,STATISTICS ,ATTITUDES of medical personnel ,CROSS-sectional method ,TERTIARY care ,SURVEYS ,COMMUNICATION ,NURSES ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,STATISTICAL sampling ,DATA analysis software ,DATA analysis ,THEMATIC analysis ,COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Aims: This work aims to explore staff perceptions of (1) the effectiveness of organizational communication during the COVID‐19 pandemic and (2) the impact of organizational communication on staff well‐being and ability to progress their work and patient care. Background: Effective coordination and communication are essential in a pandemic management response. However, the effectiveness of communication strategies used during the COVID‐19 pandemic is not well understood. Design: An exploratory cross‐sectional research design was used. A 33‐item survey tool was created for the study. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in Western Australia. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from nursing, medical, allied health services, administrative and clerical, and personal support services (N = 325). Data were collected between December 2020 and May 2021. Results: Overall, all occupational groups found working during the COVID‐19 pandemic stressful, and all groups wanted accessible and accurate communication from management and new policies, procedures, and protocols for future outbreaks. Conclusions: The use of occupational group‐relevant strategies and COVID‐19 protocols, as well as the on‐going use of email, face‐to‐face meetings with debrief sessions, are needed to improve communication and support staff to fulfil their roles. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Effective coordination and communication that is timely and two‐way in nature, is an essential part of a pandemic management response. What this paper adds? All occupational groups found working during the COVID‐19 pandemic stressful; all groups wanted accessible and accurate communication from management and new policies, procedures, and protocols for future outbreaks. The implications of this paper: Managing a pandemic situation in health care settings is challenging for all levels of staff including management and all occupational work groups.The use of occupational group‐relevant strategies and COVID‐19 protocols, as well as the on‐going use of email, face‐to‐face meetings with debrief sessions, are needed to improve communication and support staff to fulfil their roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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14. The role of impulsivity and financial satisfaction in a moderated mediation model of consumer financial resilience and life satisfaction.
- Author
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Tahir, Muhammad S., Shahid, Ahmad Usman, and Richards, Daniel W.
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LIFE satisfaction ,AUSTRALIAN authors ,IMPULSIVE personality ,PERSONAL finance ,LITERACY programs - Abstract
Purpose: This paper explores the direct and indirect associations between financial resilience and life satisfaction, using the moderation of non-impulsive behavior and mediation of financial satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach: The authors analyze the Australian household dataset, named the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, to meet the objectives of this paper. Furthermore, the authors use the PROCESS Models 4 and 7 to test the mediation and the combined moderated mediation relationships, respectively. Findings: The authors find the complete mediation of the relationship between financial resilience and life satisfaction by financial satisfaction. Also, this study finds that both financial resilience and non-impulsive behavior positively contribute to financial satisfaction, which is positively associated with life satisfaction. Practical implications: This research supports the need for consumers to build emergency funds as financial resilience is related to consumer well-being. This research also recommends that impulsive behavior should be addressed by the personal finance curriculum and financial advisors. Originality/value: This research contributes by showing that financial satisfaction is an important predictor of consumers' well-being. The ability to access financial resources, which increases for non-impulsive consumers, is associated with increased life satisfaction but only via financial satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Culture, Health and Well-Being: Yarning with the Victorian First Nations Community.
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Vance, Alasdair, McGaw, Janet, O'Rorke, Di, White, Selena, and Eades, Sandra
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WELL-being ,YOUNG adults ,YARN ,SNOWBALL sampling ,COMMUNITY involvement - Abstract
Indigenous young people around the world suffer poorer mental health outcomes than their non-Indigenous peers. Currently, how culture matters for health, what cultural practices are used in community to support health and well-being, and how culture is passed on in Aboriginal contemporary life in southeast Australia--the region most affected by settler-colonisation--is not well understood. This paper presents findings from yarns with a representative sample of 44 Indigenous participants working in the field of health and well-being that explored how culture interleaves with health and well-being. It uses grounded theory as the overarching methodology with community participation in all aspects of the project. Participants were nominated through snowball sampling and screened by a governing board of Elders. They included men and women of varied ages with half residing in urban areas and half in rural Victoria, Australia. They had declared affiliations to 31 traditional tribal groups. The yarns were held over Zoom videoconferencing between an Indigenous research assistant who was part of the community, and each participant. Each yarn was recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed by a multi-perspectival team. Culture was viewed as central to individual and communal life and passed on through relationships with people and Country itself. Community members used a wide variety of cultural practices to aid and maintain health and wellbeing in profound ways. Myriad extant obstacles to health and well-being were also described, from experiences of disconnection through to barriers for accessing services. These findings have the potential to shape future holistic care and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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16. Grandparents and non-custodial child care: Joys and difficulties.
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Moore, Susan M. and Rosenthal, Doreen A.
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SATISFACTION ,ROLE playing ,EXPERIENCE ,PSYCHOLOGICAL stress ,CHILD care ,FOSTER children ,SOCIAL support ,INTERPERSONAL relations ,CUSTODY of children ,WELL-being - Abstract
This paper presents a discussion of the roles that non-custodial grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren, and the stresses and difficulties they experience in undertaking these roles. It concludes with some recommendations about maximising the benefits of grandparent child care across the generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
17. Social Participation of People with Chronic Mental Health Needs: Building Horizontal and Vertical Forms of Social Capital.
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Giuntoli, Gianfranco, Fisher, Karen R., O'Shea, Peri, Purcal, Christiane, Zmudzki, Fredrick, and Dwyer, Olivia
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MENTAL illness treatment ,SOCIAL participation ,WELL-being ,SOCIAL support ,RESEARCH methodology ,CONVALESCENCE ,SOCIAL networks ,INTERVIEWING ,SOCIAL capital ,HUMAN services programs ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,INDEPENDENT living ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,DATA analysis software ,HOUSING ,MENTAL health services ,LONGITUDINAL method - Abstract
Social participation is positively related to mental health recovery and wellbeing, yet people with mental health problems are often socially isolated. This article investigates how social participation was incorporated into an Australian-integrated program that aimed to improve the wellbeing of people with chronic mental health needs. The data are from a longitudinal evaluation of the integrated program, including data linkage (5533 participants) and interviews (111). The paper uses concepts from the network perspective of social capital (bonding, bridging, linking, horizontal, and vertical) as lenses to re-examine the evaluation's findings about the consumers' social participation in life areas (social, leisure, and productive) facilitated by the program. This social capital perspective offers a lens to examine the breadth and intensity of participation experienced by the consumers taking part in the support program. The article adds to the literature about how service providers can improve social participation and therefore consumers' opportunities for recovery and wellbeing. The analyses found that the support increased people's social interaction and their capacity in the community. Their social interaction was mostly with other people in the service. Often their interactions in the community were only transactional. Few consumers participated in activities in productive life areas, and few of the activities promoted vertical social capital in social networks outside the service. The implications are that service providers need greater attention on facilitating a variety of social participation activities that can extend mental health consumers' horizontal and vertical social capital and so further contribute to their current and future recovery and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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18. Promoting care for the wellbeing of early childhood professionals in Australia.
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Quinones, Gloria, Berger, Emily, and Barnes, Melissa
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WELL-being , *FEMINIST ethics , *TEACHER educators , *PROFESSIONAL employees , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PRODUCTIVE life span - Abstract
Early childhood (EC) professionals are valuable educators and teachers, and their work involves being caregivers, yet the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the lack of 'caring about' and 'for' EC professionals. With the increasing focus on educator wellbeing, this paper explores how eight EC professionals understand the role of care for their wellbeing. Drawing upon a feminist ethics of care, this paper interrogates the role of care in the everyday professional work lives of educators. The findings reveal that while EC professionals understand the importance of self-care, however, their self-care is more likely to be prioritised when it is promoted by leadership (e.g., centre directors, organisational). This study also found that EC professionals need to receive care through recognition by parents, centre leaders and colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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19. Responsive, adaptive, and future-centred leadership in response to crisis: findings from Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand.
- Author
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Striepe, Michelle, Thompson, Pauline, Robertson, Sylvia, Devi, Mohini, Gurr, David, Longmuir, Fiona, Taylor, Adam, and Cunningham, Christine
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CRISIS management ,LEADERSHIP ,SCHOOL principals ,WELL-being - Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption to education and highlighted the importance of effective leadership during times of crisis. This paper considers the impact of the pandemic on school leaders in Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. A secondary analysis of data from five interpretivist, qualitative studies was conducted. The aim of the study was to investigate the similarities and differences between the leaders' experiences across school settings, states/provinces, and countries. Our findings place renewed importance on understanding the role of schools within the community and the vital role school leaders play in helping schools respond to volatile and dynamic circumstances. The findings show how leaders' roles and responsibilities adapted to respond quickly and effectively to the urgency of the crisis, regardless of the context. Furthermore, common practices such as attending to wellbeing and providing clear and timely communication were revealed. The analysis also revealed some interesting nuances in the leaders' responses because of the duration of the crisis, the particular needs of the community, and government requirements. Papers like this provide insights into what leaders do and how schools and systems might prepare and support leaders to lead during times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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20. 'Surrounding yourself with beauty': exploring the health promotion potential of a rural garden appreciation group.
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Symes, Leith, Hadgraft, Nyssa, Marsh, Pauline, Nuttman, Sonia, and Kingsley, Jonathan
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WELL-being ,RURAL conditions ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) ,RESEARCH methodology ,INTERVIEWING ,PHENOMENOLOGY ,QUALITATIVE research ,PHYSICAL activity ,SUPPORT groups ,HEALTH ,JUDGMENT sampling ,SOCIAL skills ,STATISTICAL sampling ,THEMATIC analysis ,HORTICULTURE - Abstract
Summary: Gardening has the potential to enhance health and well-being, through increased physical activity and social connectedness. However, while much is known about the benefits of garden activities, less is known about the potential health implications of more passive forms of engagement with gardens, for example, viewing gardens. In addition, much garden research is undertaken in urban settings, leaving little known about potential health impacts for rural populations. The present study explored these research gaps by gaining an understanding of the experiences and perspectives of members of a gardening appreciation group in rural Australia: The Colac Horticultural and Marvellous Property Appreciation Society (CHAMPAS). A phenomenological, qualitative methodology was applied, using semi-structured interviews for data collection. Eleven participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling and the data were analysed by applying interpretive, reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes and supporting sub-themes were generated. The four main themes were: (i) motivations for maintaining participation in CHAMPAS; (ii) social connections and friendships, formed from membership; (iii) sense of community and structure of CHAMPAS and (iv) the perceived health and well-being benefits of continued involvement in this group. This study found that members perceived health and well-being benefits stemmed from CHAMPAS facilitation of social connectedness, function as a community group and a way for members to share a love for home gardening. This study provides insights into the perceived and potential health-promoting effects of garden appreciation groups for rural populations. Lay Summary: There are many health and well-being benefits of gardening. However, research is predominantly focused on the active practice of gardening in urban environments, and little is known about the passive activity of garden appreciation, nor about the benefits of this activity in rural areas. This paper explores the health promotion potential of garden appreciation groups through the experiences of members of a rural group called CHAMPAS. Eleven members of CHAMPAS were asked to talk about what kept them attending, and what health and well-being benefits the group provided them. The study found that CHAMPAS benefits stemmed from its function as a social group and a way for members to share a love for home gardening. The findings suggest that garden appreciation groups potentially provide health promotion benefits for people in rural areas. A recommendation of this paper is to undertake further research to map and analyse these benefits across rural Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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21. Counting what counts: a systematic scoping review of instruments used in primary healthcare services to measure the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth.
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Saunders, Vicki, McCalman, Janya, Tsey, Sena, Askew, Deborah, Campbell, Sandy, Jongen, Crystal, Angelo, Candace, Spurling, Geoff, and Cadet-James, Yvonne
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WELL-being ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,WEIGHTS & measures ,MEDICAL screening ,PRIMARY health care ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,RESEARCH funding ,INDIGENOUS peoples ,LITERATURE reviews ,CHILDREN ,ADOLESCENCE - Abstract
Background: Primary healthcare services have principal responsibility for providing child and youth wellbeing and mental health services, but have lacked appropriate measurement instruments to assess the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth or to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services designed to meet their needs. This review assesses the availability and characteristics of measurement instruments that have been applied in primary healthcare services in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States (CANZUS countries) to assess the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth. Methods: Fifteen databases and 12 websites were searched in December 2017 and again in October 2021. Pre-defined search terms pertained to Indigenous children and youth, CANZUS country names, and wellbeing or mental health measures. PRISMA guidelines were followed, with eligibility criteria guiding screening of titles and abstracts, and selected full-text papers. Results are presented based on the characteristics of documented measurement instruments assessed according to five desirability criteria: development for Indigenous youth populations, adherence to relational strength-based constructs, administration by child and or youth self-report, reliability and validity, and usefulness for identifying wellbeing or risk levels. Results: Twenty-one publications were found that described the development and or use by primary healthcare services of 14 measurement instruments, employed across 30 applications. Four of the 14 measurement instruments were developed specifically for Indigenous youth populations, four focused solely on strength-based wellbeing concepts but none included all Indigenous wellbeing domains. Conclusion: There is a diversity of measurement instruments available, but few fit our desirability criteria. Although it is possible that we missed relevant papers and reports, this review clearly supports the need for further research to develop, refine or adapt instruments cross-culturally to measure the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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22. Construction Workforce's Mental Health: Research and Policy Alignment in the Australian Construction Industry.
- Author
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Hosseini, Omid, Loosemore, Martin, and Fini, Alireza Ahmadian Fard
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PSYCHIATRIC research ,MENTAL health policy ,EVIDENCE gaps ,CHANGE management ,CONSTRUCTION industry - Abstract
The Australian construction industry is facing a mental health crisis; poor mental health indicators are significantly higher than the all-industry average. Despite a growing body of research into the mental health of the industry's workforce, concerns have been raised about its alignment with regulatory developments in this area. This raises questions about the relevance of research to support mental health policy development in Australia and evidence-based research on mental health policy relating to the construction industry. However, there has been no research to explore the extent of this problem. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by reporting the results of a systematic review of peer-reviewed mental health research using the PRISMA scoping review methodology. The results reveal significant misalignment between existing research and Australian government regulation in this area. A particularly low level of research–policy alignment is found in the areas of: violence and traumatic events at work, financial concerns, poor organizational change management, workplace injustice, and social support. The paper concludes with recommendations for new avenues of mental health research to address these gaps, enabling closer alignment between mental health research and regulatory reform. It is concluded that this will facilitate more relevant research and improved evidence-based decision-making in this important field of research and policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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23. MEN'S SHEDS: AUSTRALIA'S GIFT TO THE WORLD.
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Golding, Barry
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OLDER men ,FEMINISM ,AUSTRALIANS ,WELL-being ,OLDER women - Abstract
This paper provides a window into recent developments in the international Men's Shed movement up to 2022. It includes useful insights into the complex, fascinating and still evolving role that gender plays in Sheds, and is essential for understanding where the 25 year old Men's Shed movement and also the decade old Women's Shed movement, both originating in Australia, might be headed, and perhaps how it might take root in Poland or elsewhere in mainland Europe. The paper also explores what it is about Men's Sheds which is so attractive to older men and particularly how it informally enhances their learning and wellbeing. I have also included a brief reflection on some of the professional and personal factors which attracted me to research Sheds internationally, and to since become a Shed advocate and an Australian Men's Shed Patron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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24. Mental health consequences of detaining children and families who seek asylum: a scoping review.
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Mares, Sarah
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IMMIGRATION law ,MENTAL illness risk factors ,PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems ,CINAHL database ,WELL-being ,PSYCHOLOGY of refugees ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,PARENT-child separation ,RISK assessment ,PARENTING ,CHILD psychopathology ,LITERATURE reviews ,MEDLINE ,PARENT-child relationships - Abstract
Almost 80 million people globally are forcibly displaced. A small number reach wealthy western countries and seek asylum. Over half are children. Wealthy reception countries have increasingly adopted restrictive reception practices including immigration detention. There is an expanding literature on the mental health impacts of immigration detention for adults, but less about children. This scoping review identified 22 studies of children detained by 6 countries (Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Netherlands, the UK and the US) through searches of Medline, PsychINFO, Emcare, CINAHL and Scopus data bases for the period January 1992–May 2019. The results are presented thematically. There is quantitative data about the mental health of children and parents who are detained and qualitative evidence includes the words and drawings of detained children. The papers are predominantly small cross-sectional studies using mixed methodologies with convenience samples. Despite weaknesses in individual studies the review provides a rich and consistent picture of the experience and impact of immigration detention on children's wellbeing, parental mental health and parenting. Displaced children are exposed to peri-migration trauma and loss compounded by further adversity while held detained. There are high rates of distress, mental disorder, physical health and developmental problems in children aged from infancy to adolescence which persist after resettlement. Restrictive detention is a particularly adverse reception experience and children and parents should not be detained or separated for immigration purposes. The findings have implications for policy and practice. Clinicians and researchers have a role in advocacy for reception polices that support the wellbeing of accompanied and unaccompanied children who seek asylum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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25. Nature-based interventions in social work practice and education: Insights from six nations.
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Slattery, Maddy, Ramsay, Sylvia, Pryor, Anita, Gallagher, Hilary, Norton, Christine Lynn, Nikkel, Lynette, Smith, Amanda, Knowles, Ben, and McAuliffe, Donna
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PROFESSIONAL practice ,WELL-being ,FOCUS groups ,NATUROPATHY ,POPULATION geography ,COLLEGE teacher attitudes ,CULTURAL pluralism ,MENTAL health ,SOCIAL justice ,VIDEOCONFERENCING ,EXPERIENCE ,MENTAL healing ,PHILOSOPHY of education ,RESEARCH funding ,SOCIAL work education ,SOCIAL services ,NATURE ,INTERDISCIPLINARY education ,THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
This paper presents findings from an investigation of nature-based practices, from the perspectives of 10 academics/educators from six nations. Participants engaged in a focus group exploring the prevalence and inclusion of nature in social work practice and education. While the study focused on individual members' experiences and perspectives, the findings highlight important context-specific factors for including nature within social work to reconnect humans with nature for health, well-being, healing, and justice. An Integrative Environmental Model for social work is proposed to assist future practice and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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26. How well do the adult social care outcomes toolkit for carers, carer experience scale and care-related quality of life capture aspects of quality of life important to informal carers in Australia?
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Bucholc, Jessica, McCaffrey, Nikki, Ugalde, Anna, Muldowney, Anne, Rand, Stacey, Hoefman, Renske, Mihalopoulos, Cathrine, and Engel, Lidia
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QUALITY of life ,CHI-squared test ,TEST validity ,WELL-being ,OPEN-ended questions - Abstract
Purpose: Identify aspects of quality of life (QoL) important to Australian informal carers and explore how well the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for Carers, Care-related Quality of Life instrument and Carer Experience Scale capture these aspects in the Australian context. Methods: Online questionnaires were completed by Australian informal carers. Socio-demographics, open-ended questions: positive/negative aspects of caring and QoL aspects missing from the instruments, and ranking of the instrument domains was used to explore the content of the instruments. Instruments were scored using preference-weighted value sets (reported in another paper). Content analysis was used to analyse the open-ended responses. Chi-squared test looked at differences in domain importance. Descriptive analyses summarised all other information. Results: Eight themes were identified: Behaviour-mood of the care recipient, Caring responsibilities, Finances, Health, Own life, Perception of carers, Relationship with care recipient and Support. Many aspects of carer QoL mentioned as missing in the instruments appeared covered by the domains, of which all were reported as important. The highest ranked domain was relationship with the care recipient. The influence of the care recipient specific support, behaviour/mood and health on carer QoL appear absent in all instruments. Conclusion: The content of the three instruments appears relevant in an Australian setting. The influence of care recipient's health and well-being on carer QoL should be considered, along with spillover effects. A content and/or face validity analysis is required to confirm differences in item interpretation in Australian informal carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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27. Help is on its Way: Exploring the Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes of a Massed Community Choir Program.
- Author
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Bartleet, Brydie-Leigh, Boydell, Katherine, Walton, Jack, and Peter Young
- Subjects
- *
COMPETENCY assessment (Law) , *WELL-being , *EVALUATION of human services programs , *SINGING , *RESEARCH methodology , *QUALITATIVE research , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
Background: This paper explores the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of a massed community choir program in Australia. Methods: This study employed a mixed methods approach. Data were collected via a survey of choir participants (N = 305), four qualitative interviews and focus groups with facilitators and participants (N = 22), and two workshops with organising staff (N = 5). Questions were derived from a co-designed program logic, and data were triangulated and analysed thematically. Results: Participants reported feeling a sense of connectedness (psychological), but also experiencing connection (social) with their fellow singers. Psychological outcomes included the sensations of affect, arousal, and affirmation. Social outcomes included experiencing belonging, inclusion, and sharing. These positive psycho- social experiences promoted positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes in the large group of participating singers. Conclusions: This paper addresses gaps in our understanding about the mental health and wellbeing outcomes fostered by community choirs at scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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28. Stress, burnout, and parenting: a qualitative study of general practice registrars.
- Author
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Hoffman, Rebekah, Mullan, Judy, Metusela, Christine, and Bonney, Andrew
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PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout ,HEALTH education ,WELL-being ,HOSPITAL medical staff ,JOB stress ,FAMILY medicine ,RESEARCH methodology ,INTERVIEWING ,FAMILY health ,MENTAL health ,PARENTING ,EXPERIENCE ,QUALITATIVE research ,PRIMARY health care ,LABOR supply ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
Background: Early career medical professionals experience stress and burnout at higher levels than the wider community. Burnout can arise with competing demands of life and career, which is evident in early career development, where family planning can coincide with specialty training. General practice may be seen as a family friendly career option; however, few studies examine the experience of general practice trainees with stress and burnout and the impact that parenting has on their experience. This study aims to explore the experience of stress and burnout in general practice registrars and the exacerbating and protective factors, with a focus on the experiences of two groups of registrars, those that have children, and those that do not. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 14 participants, who were interviewed with questions exploring experiences of stress and burnout. Participants were grouped into those with children and those without children. The transcripts were thematically analysed. Results: Themes were identified as those that contributed to stress and burnout (such as time, financial concerns and isolation) and those factors that reduced stress and burnout (such as support from others and being respected and valued within the workplace). Parenting was identified as both a factor that could contribute to and reduce stress and burnout. Conclusions: Stress and burnout are important foci for future research and policy to ensure the sustainability of general practice. System based and individual focused policies, including individualising training to support parenting, are required to ensure that registrars are supported through their training years and beyond. General practice needs to work to increase recruitment of doctors, reduce early career burnout and to retain GPs in the long term. Early career medical professionals experience stress and burnout at higher levels than the wider community. General practice may have traditionally been seen as a family friendly career option, however, unfortunately it may be no longer. This paper examines the experience of GP trainees with stress and burnout and the impact that parenting has on their experience and looks at solutions to improve conditions for early to mid career GPs, and hopefully make general practice more attractive for future doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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29. Implementation and evaluation of a multi-level mental health promotion intervention for the workplace (MENTUPP): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.
- Author
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Arensman, Ella, Leduc, Mallorie, O'Brien, Cliodhna, Corcoran, Paul, Griffin, Eve, Leduc, Caleb, Coppens, Evelien, Tsantila, Fotini, Ross, Victoria, Abdulla, Kahar, Hauck, Pia, Amann, Benedikt L., Aust, Birgit, Pashoja, Arlinda Cerga, Cresswell-Smith, Johanna, D'Alessandro, Luigia, Fanaj, Naim, Greiner, Birgit A., Luyten, Jeroen, and Mathieu, Sharna
- Subjects
EMPLOYEE health promotion ,MENTAL health promotion ,COMPETENCY assessment (Law) ,JOB stress ,WELL-being ,RESEARCH protocols - Abstract
Background: Well-organised and managed workplaces can be a source of wellbeing. The construction, healthcare and information and communication technology sectors are characterised by work-related stressors (e.g. high workloads, tight deadlines) which are associated with poorer mental health and wellbeing. The MENTUPP intervention is a flexibly delivered, multi-level approach to supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating mentally healthy workplaces. The online intervention is tailored to each sector and designed to support employees and leaders dealing with mental health difficulties (e.g. stress), clinical level anxiety and depression, and combatting mental health-related stigma. This paper presents the protocol for the cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of the MENTUPP intervention in eight European countries and Australia. Methods: Each intervention country will aim to recruit at least two SMEs in each of the three sectors. The design of the cRCT is based on the experiences of a pilot study and guided by a Theory of Change process that describes how the intervention is assumed to work. SMEs will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control conditions. The aim of the cRCT is to assess whether the MENTUPP intervention is effective in improving mental health and wellbeing (primary outcome) and reducing stigma, depression and suicidal behaviour (secondary outcome) in employees. The study will also involve a process and economic evaluation. Conclusions: At present, there is no known multi-level, tailored, flexible and accessible workplace-based intervention for the prevention of non-clinical and clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety and burnout, and the promotion of mental wellbeing. The results of this study will provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation and effectiveness of such an intervention in a variety of contexts, languages and cultures leading to the overall goal of delivering an evidence-based intervention for mental health in the workplace. Trial registration: Please refer to Item 2a and registration ISRCTN14104664. Registered on 12th July 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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30. The importance of social supports in education: survey findings from students with disability and their families during COVID-19.
- Author
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Dickinson, Helen, Smith, Catherine, Yates, Sophie, and Tani, Massimiliano
- Subjects
- *
WELL-being , *ACADEMIC accommodations , *SOCIAL support , *TEACHING methods , *DISCRIMINATION (Sociology) , *MENTAL health , *STUDENTS with disabilities , *FAMILY attitudes , *MAINSTREAMING in special education , *SURVEYS , *QUALITATIVE research , *COMPARATIVE studies , *LEARNING strategies , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *THEMATIC analysis , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Emergency situations such as pandemics typically widen inequities, and Australian children and young people with disability already face significant inequities in the education system. In this paper we draw on survey data from over 700 respondents exploring education experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families reported being left behind, finding it difficult to access education remotely, and that this was having a significant impact on wellbeing and mental health. We find that of all support offered by schools, social supports have a stronger association with learner engagement than educational interventions. This finding indicates the importance of social and emotional supports in learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted education for most learners; There is good evidence to suggest this impact is felt more keenly by students with disability, because there is disability discrimination in the Australian education system; This paper reports survey responses from over 700 families of students with disability exploring the impact of COVID-19 on education; Many families report being left behind and that students found it difficult to learn away from the school campus, which for many students and families led to poorer wellbeing and mental health; Our results suggest that supporting students to have social contact with peers made the biggest impact on students with disability feeling engaged with learning during this time. This shows it is important for teachers and schools to pay attention to social as well as educational aspects of school life when thinking about how to educate students with disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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31. Measuring What Matters: Drawing on a Participatory Wellbeing Framework and Existing Data to Assess Child Wellbeing Outcomes Over Time.
- Author
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Sollis, Kate and Edwards, Ben
- Subjects
YOUNG adults ,WELL-being ,AUSTRALIANS - Abstract
A growing body of research highlights the importance of increasing children's involvement in the measurement of their wellbeing. Using data from Australia, this paper outlines the first known attempt to apply an existing participatory wellbeing framework to an existing longitudinal dataset to measure child wellbeing over time. This approach enables analysis of the key areas where life could be improved for children based on what they themselves value, an examination of whether children are having wellbeing needs met in multiple dimensions and over time, and an exploration into the later wellbeing impacts of early life experiences. The results highlighted some areas of concern for children and young people in Australia, including the low proportion meeting the wellbeing threshold in health, and the high level of inequality within material basics when this is examined over time. We apply the indicator set to examine the implications of being born into monetary poverty on later wellbeing outcomes. Being born into poverty was associated with poorer outcomes in almost all wellbeing areas (Loved & Safe, Material Basics, Learning and Participating) by age 6–7 years. While some of these associations diminished as children got older, being born into poverty had a continued relationship with poorer outcomes in Material Basics and Participating in all time points examined (up until age 12–13). In sum, this paper provides an illustration of how a child participatory wellbeing framework can be applied to a longitudinal dataset to measure wellbeing over time, highlighting how this approach can help to ensure policy more effectively creates measurable and meaningful change for children and young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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32. A model for mental health advance directives in the new Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Act.
- Author
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Edan, Vrinda and Maylea, Chris
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WELL-being ,MENTAL health ,HUMAN rights ,CONSUMERS ,THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Under the Victorian 2014 Mental Health Act (MHA14), Victorians have a right to advance statements. While there have been initiatives to support uptake, under 3% of consumers have done so. In March 2021, the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System (the Commission) released its report, including a call to repeal MHA14 and enact a new Act no later than mid-2022. In this paper, we discuss the role of advance planning documentation and instruments used in Australian legislation. Drawing on the Commission's recommendations, models of advance planning in Australia and the Victorian legislative context, this paper proposes a model of both binding and non-binding advance directives. This model would bring the rights of Victorian consumers into alignment with rights provided under the Medical Treatment, Planning and Decisions Act 2016 (Vic) and assist in bringing the new Act into compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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33. Perspectives on an exhausted medical radiation practitioner workforce: emotional labour and the impact of compassion fatigue.
- Author
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Ku, Min, Cavanagh, Jillian, Bartram, Timothy, and Halvorsen, Beni
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JOB stress prevention ,WELL-being ,PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout ,HEALTH services administrators ,OCCUPATIONAL roles ,INDUSTRIAL safety ,ATTITUDES of medical personnel ,HEALTH facility administration ,RADIOLOGIC technologists ,LABOR supply ,SECONDARY traumatic stress ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,EMPLOYEES' workload ,EMOTIONS ,RADIOTHERAPY ,HOSPITAL radiological services ,ALLIED health personnel ,COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia reaches its peak, medical radiation practitioners (MRPs) are at capacity both physically and emotionally. High workloads and stress impact the mental wellbeing of MRPs, with suppression of feelings and emotions resulting in experiences of compassion fatigue. From a MRP workforce perspective, the long-term cost of the pandemic has yet to be realised. MRPs need to be supported to prevent unintended health consequences. Robust management interventions will be required to support the MRP workforce to manage and hopefully mitigate compassion fatigue transitioning out of the pandemic. What is known about the topic? COVID-19 has highlighted the pressures on the healthcare system and subsequent effects on the healthcare workforce. Relatively little is known about this topic in relationship to the psychological wellbeing of medical radiation practitioners. What does this paper add? This paper recognises some of the effects of the impact of COVID-19 and contributes to literature on wellbeing Human Resource Management in the allied health sector. What are the implications for practitioners? Identification of various management interventions required to actively support medical radiation practitioners to manage and address compassion fatigue transitioning out of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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34. Young carers and educational engagement: Quantitative analysis of bursary applications in Australia.
- Author
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Moore, Tim, Bourke‐Taylor, Helen M., Greenland, Natalie, McDougall, Stewart, Robinson, Luke, Brown, Ted, and Bromfield, Leah
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WELL-being ,SERVICES for caregivers ,HIGH schools ,STATISTICS ,CAREGIVERS ,SOCIAL support ,SCHOLARSHIPS ,T-test (Statistics) ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,RESEARCH funding ,DATA analysis software ,DATA analysis ,ADOLESCENCE - Abstract
Young carers support family members affected by disability or a health condition. The Young Carer Bursary Program aims to support young carers' education. This paper analysed data from consenting bursary applicants (2017–2019) to investigate relationships between wellbeing, educational attendance, home study and other factors. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis determined significant issues, relationships and influential factors related to young carer (N = 1,443) wellbeing and education. Sixty‐eight percent were aged between 13 and 18 years and attended secondary school. One third of the sample reported that they were the main carer in their family and 29% reported receiving no support. Female applicants from single parent households who were the main carer attended educational settings less often. Eighteen percent (n = 267) rated their wellbeing as poor/very poor. Better wellbeing was associated with increased educational attendance (rs = 0.33, p < 0.001) and home study (rs = 0.34, p < 0.001). Wellbeing was associated with main carer status, caring for a parent, having a disability, being older and having few supports. Educational attendance was associated with main carer status, higher care load and fewer supports. Home study was associated with having a disability, caring for a sibling, caring for more than 11 hr per week and having fewer supports. Important factors about the age, life situation and challenges experienced by young carers identified in this paper indicate that further research into preferred supports and effectiveness of the bursary in improving educational engagement is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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35. Hearts and Homes: The Potential of Conservation Laser Cleaning for Post-disaster Wellbeing and Waste Reduction.
- Author
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Wain, Alison, Rode, Andrei, Wilkinson, Sara, Banishemi, Saeed, Hirajasouli, Aso, and Rapp, Ludovic
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WASTE minimization ,WELL-being ,WASTE gases ,MICROSCOPY ,LASERS ,EMERGENCY management ,SOOT ,FEMTOSECOND lasers - Abstract
This paper explores the potential for conservators to use their unique combination of materials and heritage experience to tackle the challenges of recovery in fire-affected areas, helping to minimise the waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional processes of post-disaster building remediation by facilitating cleaning and repair rather than replacement and disposal of fire-affected materials. The focus is not on saving 'special' items, but on remediating the broader fabric of homes and possessions that embody a sense of place and identity that sustains wellbeing and aids recovery after disaster. The samples used are painted plasterboard affected by smoke from the 2019 bushfires on the south-eastern coast of Australia. The method being trialled is the use of lasers to remove ash (soot) deposited by the smoke, to achieve a reduction in visual reminders of the fire and a surface that is ready for processes such as sanding, plastering or repainting to prepare a home for quick post-disaster re-occupation. Lasers have been extensively used for cleaning buildings. They use light energy to clean, so do not require abrasives or other chemicals, or touching of the surface. Nanosecond and femtosecond pulse lasers are trialled, and the effectiveness of the laser cleaning is analysed using visual assessment, optical microscopy, spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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- View/download PDF
36. Exploring rural Nurses' preparedness and post‐resuscitation experiences. An ethnographic study.
- Author
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Riley, Katherine, Middleton, Rebekkah, Molloy, Luke, and Wilson, Val
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- *
RURAL nursing , *PREPAREDNESS , *RURAL hospitals , *ETHNOLOGY , *WELL-being , *SECONDARY traumatic stress - Abstract
Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Impact Reporting Method No Patient or Public Contribution The focus of this paper is to provide a detailed ethnographic exploration of rural nurses' experiences of their resuscitation preparedness and the subsequent post‐resuscitation period.An ethnographic study across two small rural hospital sites in New South Wales, Australia.Fieldwork was undertaken between December 2020 and March 2022 and included over 240 h of nonparticipant observation, journalling and interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.The first key theme—‘Sense of Preparedness’—included three subthemes: ‘Gaining experience’, ‘Issues with training and education’ and ‘Lack of warning’. The second key theme ‘Aftermath’ comprised two subthemes: ‘Getting on with it’ and ‘Making sense of the resus’.This study has highlighted the intricate relationship between resuscitative preparedness and the post‐resuscitation period in shaping rural nurse's experiences and their well‐being. Rural nurses are asking for an authentic and contextually relevant training experience that mirrors the unique rural challenges they experience. In the absence of frequent resuscitation presentations, the post‐resuscitation period should be viewed as a crucible moment that can be leveraged as a valuable learning opportunity enhancing rural nurses' sense of preparedness and the provision of quality resuscitation care.Having a greater level of insight into the challenges that rural nurses experience in the pre‐ and post‐resuscitation period is critical. This insight opens the door for fortifying policies and work processes that will better support rural nurses in the resuscitation environment.Reporting complied with COREQ criteria for qualitative research.This study explored the experiences of rural nurses. No patient data were collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Supports desired by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in fatherhood: Focussing on the social and cultural determinates of health and well‐being.
- Author
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Prehn, Jacob, Guerzoni, Michael Andre, Peacock, Huw, Adams, Mick, Williamson, Bhiamie, Collard, Len, and Canuto, Kootsy
- Subjects
- *
FATHERHOOD , *INDIGENOUS Australians , *WELL-being , *FAMILY support , *INDIGENOUS children , *SOCIAL determinants of health , *FATHER-child relationship - Abstract
In Australia, there is insufficient exploration and understanding of how we can strengthen the critical role played by Indigenous fathers. This paper argues that for Indigenous fathers to feel supported in childrearing, greater attention must be given to their social and cultural determinants of health and well‐being. To gain insights into the challenges experienced by Indigenous fathers and the support they require in fatherhood, we primarily apply thematic analysis to data from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). The findings reveal that most fathers identify a social or cultural health and well‐being determinant challenging their fatherhood journey. We examine these results and suggest why and how appropriately focussing on the social and cultural determinants of health and well‐being will enhance and support Indigenous men in fatherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. A systematic review of effective local, community or peer‐delivered interventions to improve well‐being and employment in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.
- Author
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Luke, Jennifer, Bartlett, Cristy, March, Sonja, and McIlveen, Peter
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COMMUNITY health services , *GREY literature , *AUTONOMY (Psychology) , *RESEARCH funding , *AFFINITY groups , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *RURAL conditions , *MEDICAL records , *ACQUISITION of data , *QUALITY assurance , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *WELL-being , *EMPLOYMENT , *INDIGENOUS Australians , *EVALUATION - Abstract
Objective: To systematically review evaluated local, community or peer‐delivered well‐being and employment interventions delivered within regional, rural and remote Australia. Design: Searches within nine databases retrieved peer‐reviewed and grey literature from an initial pool of 3186 papers published between 2012 and 2022. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the well‐being or employment (or both) articles. Findings: A total of 19 items met the inclusion criteria, which included two quantitative, 12 qualitative and five mixed‐methods evaluations. Intervention cohorts included Indigenous Australians, youth, older people, workers and the general community. The average methodological rating was 83%. The overall level of evidence for the interventions was low due to mostly descriptive studies. Discussion: Interventions that appeared effective in improving well‐being tended to focus on addressing social connectedness and self‐determination. Unexpected employment outcomes were evident across many of the studies, which highlighted the reciprocity between well‐being and employment. Conclusion: This review highlights promising interventions for improving well‐being by focusing on social connectedness and self‐determination. Further empirical evidence is encouraged to explore the reciprocal relationship between well‐being and employment, emphasising the significance of social connectedness and self‐determination in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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39. Reflections from the peer-supported writing and wellbeing program, Write Smarter Feel Better.
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Fox-Harding, Caitlin, Carew, Melanie, and Harrington, Karra
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AFFINITY groups , *WELL-being , *COLLEGE students , *SOCIAL participation , *SOCIAL support , *LABOR productivity , *CONFIDENCE , *CONVALESCENCE , *HUMAN services programs , *WRITTEN communication , *STAY-at-home orders , *REFLECTION (Philosophy) , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
This paper aims to provide an overview of a peer-supported writing and wellbeing pilot program for higher degree by research (HDR) students in Australia. It proposes a six-month program is a beneficial service to HDR students that improves not only their productivity and writing confidence but assists with their perceived mental wellbeing as well. This paper offers a perspective of the piloted writing and wellbeing program for HDR students during the recovery period during the COVID-19 global pandemic. It includes generalized reflections of participation, content, and structure alongside future directions and further implementation. This research includes generalized, anonymous data regarding the success of the writing and wellbeing pilot program for HDR students and components to improve upon. It suggests that the overwhelming response from participants was positive, especially during various COVID-19 related lockdowns and travel restriction measures. As this paper involves a small cohort of preliminary impressions from the pilot study, results will lack generalizability. Therefore, it is acknowledged that further research will ensue to examine the program further. The success, measured by adherence and wellbeing improvements, of the Write Smarter: Feel Better program can influence the way in which universities address and protect mental wellbeing of their HDR students. This paper fulfills an identified and growing need for mental wellbeing to be strengthened among HDR students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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40. Anxiety about HIV criminalisation among people living with HIV in Australia.
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Bourne, Adam, Melendez-Torres, G. J., Thanh Ly, An, Kidd, Paul, Cogle, Aaron, Brown, Graham, Lyons, Anthony, Carman, Marina, Rulee, John, and Power, Jennifer
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WELL-being ,SELF advocacy ,CROSS-sectional method ,CRIME ,MENTAL health ,INFECTIOUS disease transmission ,ANXIETY ,PSYCHOLOGY of HIV-positive persons ,PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience ,GAY people - Abstract
Many countries, including Australia, have laws that enable criminal prosecution of an individual based on reckless or intentional transmission of HIV to another person. Previous research has suggested that criminalisation of HIV may serve to hamper public health efforts by inhibiting HIV status disclosure or testing. Limited research to date has sought to examine the broader impact of criminalisation on the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV, which this paper aims to address. Drawing on cross-sectional data from 895 people living with HIV in Australia, this paper describes associations between standard measures of mental health and resilience with a newly devised scale measuring anxiety about HIV criminalisation. Findings suggest that laws criminalising HIV transmission have a broadly negative impact on wellbeing of people living with HIV, a situation that is exacerbated for gay and bisexual men, and other people living with HIV who may face intersecting forms of marginalisation based on race, gender or class. There is little justification for these laws being applied in Australia and the findings add weight to advocacy seeking to overturn criminalisation across the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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41. Exploring Environmental Factors Associated with Child Wellbeing during COVID-19 in Australia and Germany.
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Levickis, Penny, Murray, Lisa, Niklas, Frank, Lee-Pang, Lynn, Vogt, Marius, Page, Jane, Eadie, Patricia, and Lehrl, Simone
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COVID-19 pandemic ,ONLINE education ,WELL-being ,HOME schooling ,INSTITUTIONAL care of children ,EARLY childhood education ,PARENTING education ,LIFE change events - Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the wellbeing of children and families globally. With extended lockdown periods, early childhood education and school closures, and remote learning, families experienced increased stress and anxiety, financial hardship, and disrupted routines. This paper aims to explore associations between children's social-emotional wellbeing and environmental factors (including the burden of COVID-19 on the family, early learning experiences in the home and early childhood education, and parent wellbeing and mental health) during COVID-19 in Australia and Germany, two countries that experienced significant lockdown periods. Using a longitudinal online survey design, parents of young children (aged 1–6 years) in Australia (N = 66) and Germany (N = 53) completed surveys on their own wellbeing; their child's wellbeing; the home learning environment, and their satisfaction with early childhood education and care at two time points in 2020 and 2021. The burden of COVID-19 mitigation measures on families' everyday lives correlated with child wellbeing outcomes in both the Australian and German cohorts. Findings also provide evidence of potential protective factors of children's social-emotional wellbeing during stressful events, such as the lockdowns experienced by families in Germany and Australia during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
42. Can personal psychological resources reduce burnout and turnover in Australian hospital nurses?
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ELEY, SAM and HASSMEN, PETER
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- *
PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout , *WELL-being , *WORK environment , *STATISTICS , *CROSS-sectional method , *SOCIAL media , *PSYCHOLOGY , *LABOR turnover , *SURVEYS , *SELF-efficacy , *CRONBACH'S alpha , *HOSPITAL nursing staff , *FACTOR analysis , *JOB satisfaction , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *SCALE analysis (Psychology) , *CONCEPTUAL models , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *EMOTIONS , *INTENTION , *STATISTICAL sampling , *DATA analysis software , *DATA analysis , *DEPERSONALIZATION - Abstract
Objective: To examine whether personal psychological resources safeguard hospital nurses against adverse workplace consequences, particularly job burnout and the desire to leave the profession. Background: Nursing research has extensively documented the adverse effects of job burnout and staff turnover. With the current nursing shortage, it is imperative to identify resources and strategies that can mitigate adverse workplace outcomes. However, the role of personal psychological resources, or psychological capital, in aiding nurses to perform effectively in their work environment remains relatively unexplored. Study design and methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The survey assessed nurses' experienced burnout (MBI-HSS), psychological capital (PCQ-24), and intentions to leave nursing. Hospital nurses (n= 258) from six states of Australia responded to an online anonymous survey between June and November 2022. Results: Respondents indicated a high degree of experienced burnout: 68.6% experienced high emotional exhaustion, 31.8% had high depersonalisation, and 31.8% had low personal accomplishment. Additionally, 38.8% had high intentions to leave the profession. Emotional exhaustion (p<.001, b=.56) and personal accomplishment (p=.006, b=-.15) were significant predictors of turnover intentions. Higher psychological capital was significantly associated with lower emotional exhaustion (p<.001, b=-.42), lower depersonalisation (p<.001, b=-.29), higher personal accomplishment (p<.001, b=.60), and lower turnover intentions (p<.001, b=.44). Discussion: Much of the nursing burnout and intent to leave literature focuses on negative rather than positive aspects of the work environment. Positive responses to workplace stimuli promote positive attitudes such as empowerment, job satisfaction, and organisational commitment that have a tangible impact on personal and occupational wellbeing. This may explain why nurses with stronger personal psychological resources experienced less burnout and voiced fewer intentions to leave the profession. Conclusion: The health and wellbeing of nurses should be a priority for healthcare organisations; the working conditions nurses face in Australian hospitals cause many to be negatively impacted by work stress. Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice: Nurses would benefit from initiatives to enhance their psychological resources. Targeted interventions to develop psychological capital should be examined in a nursing population. This can change policy, thereby benefitting the healthcare system. What is already known about the topic? • Australia is currently facing a shortage of qualified nurses. • Hospital nurses often experience job burnout and high levels of turnover due to the challenging nature of their work environment. • Personal psychological resources have been linked to positive workplace outcomes, such as job satisfaction and organisational commitment, in various settings. What this paper adds: • It demonstrates that nurses possessing greater personal psychological resources experience lower levels of burnout and are less likely to consider leaving the profession. • The paper suggests that implementing targeted interventions designed to enhance nurses' personal psychological resources could be a viable approach for mitigating burnout and turnover intentions (TI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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43. Nurses' and midwives' experiences of the first phase of the implementation of an electronic medical records system.
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Wynter, Karen, Holton, Sara, Nguyen, Lemai, Sinnott, Helen, Wickramasinghe, Nilmini, Crowe, Shane, and Rasmussen, Bodil
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MIDWIVES ,WELL-being ,NURSES' attitudes ,FOCUS groups ,ATTITUDES of medical personnel ,INFORMATION resources management ,PUBLIC health ,MEDICATION errors ,WORKFLOW ,LABOR supply ,NURSES ,COMMUNICATION ,ELECTRONIC health records ,THEMATIC analysis ,PATIENT care - Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to describe nurses' and midwives' experiences following the first phase of the implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR) system at a large public health service in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Methods: Four focus groups were held 8–10 months after implementation of the EMR. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Of 39 participants, 25 were nurses (64%), 12 were midwives (31%) and two did not provide this information. The mean (±s.d.) duration of clinical experience was 15.6 ± 12.2 years (range 2–40 years). Three main themes were identified: (1) effects on workflow: although some participants reported that EMR facilitated easier access to real-time patient data, others indicated that workflow was disrupted by the EMR being slow and difficult to navigate, system outages and lack of interoperability between the EMR and other systems; (2) effects on patient care and communication: some participants reported that the EMR improved their communication with patients and reduced medication errors, whereas others reported a negative effect on patient care and communication; and (3) negative effects of the EMR on nurses' and midwives' personal well-being, including frustration, stress and exhaustion. These experiences were often reported in the context of cognitive workload due to having to use multiple systems simultaneously or extra work associated with EMR outages. Conclusion: Nurses' and midwives' experiences of the EMR were complex and mixed. Nurses and midwives require significant training and ongoing technical support in the first 12 months after implementation of an EMR system. Including nurses and midwives in the design and refinement of the EMR will ensure that the EMR aligns with their workflow. What is known about the topic?: Studies reporting nurses' and midwives' experiences of using EMR are scarce and mostly based in countries where whole-of-service implementations are carried out, funded by governments. What does this paper add?: Nurses and midwives perceive benefits of using an EMR relatively soon after implementation in terms of their workflow and patient care. However, in the first year after EMR implementation, nurses and midwives experience some negative effects on workflow, patient care and their own well-being. The effects on clinical workflow are further compounded by EMR downtime (scheduled and unscheduled) and hybrid systems that require users to access other technology systems alongside the EMR. What are the implications for practitioners?: In countries like Australia, whole-of-service, simultaneous implementation of EMR systems using best-available server technology may not be possible due to funding constraints. In these circumstances, nurses and midwives may initially experience increased workload and frustration. Ongoing training and technical support should be provided to nurses and midwives for several months following implementation. Including nurses and midwives in the design of the EMR will result in better alignment with their specific workflow, thus maximising benefits of EMR implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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44. The social determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who do not smoke in regional Australia.
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Heris, Christina, Caudell, Reuben Z., Barrett, Eden M., Brinckley, Makayla‐May, Cohen, Rubijayne, Kennedy, Michelle, Whop, Lisa J., Calma, Tom, and Maddox, Raglan
- Subjects
- *
CROSS-sectional method , *HEALTH services accessibility , *SOCIAL determinants of health , *PSYCHOLOGICAL distress , *SMOKING , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *FOOD security , *POPULATION geography , *DISEASE prevalence , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *QUANTITATIVE research , *SURVEYS , *RACISM , *NON-smokers , *RESEARCH , *METROPOLITAN areas , *EX-smokers , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *DISCRIMINATION (Sociology) , *INDIGENOUS Australians , *WELL-being - Abstract
Introduction: Commercial tobacco use was systematically embedded as a valuable commodity through colonisation that continues to be exploited for profit by the Tobacco Industry. There have been significant declines in current smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 18 years and over, from 55% in 1994 to 43% in 2018–2019. This paper seeks to better understand smoke‐free behaviours, and to systematically quantify associations between a range of SDOH and non‐smoking/never‐smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18) living in regional Australia. Objective: To explore the social determinants of health (SDOH) related to non‐ and never‐smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in regional Australia. Design: Cross‐sectional analysis of the NATSIHS, weighted to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population living in regional Australia, was conducted. Participants were characterised as people who were current smokers, never‐smokers and non‐smokers (ex‐ and never‐smokers). The social determinants of health exposures related to socioeconomic position, well‐being and access to healthcare. Setting: Regional Australia is distinct from urban and remote areas, based on the ASGS Remoteness Structure (ABS) 2018–2019. Participants: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18 years) who were selected, consented and asked questions about smoking in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS 2018/19). Results: High income was associated with non‐smoking (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.66–2.57) and never‐smoking (PR = 2.02; 1.46–2.79), as was completing year 10 (non‐smoking PR = 1.34; 1.12–1.61 and never‐smoking PR = 1.56; 1.20–2.03). Better food security was associated with a higher prevalence of never‐smoking (PR = 2.42; 1.48–3.98). Lower psychological distress scores were associated with non‐smoking (PR = 1.30; 1.10–1.53) and never‐smoking (PR = 1.56; 1.21–2.01). Never‐smoking was more frequent in participants reporting no experiences of unfair treatment (PR = 1.59; 1.22–2.06). Having a usual healthcare provider was associated with non‐smoking (PR = 1.38; 1.02–1.86). Positive exposure to the SDOH were associated with non‐ and never‐smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in regional Australia. Structural and systemic changes to address the SDOH, including discrimination and racism, are expected to accelerate non‐smoking behaviours and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. A comparative analysis of the prevalence and predictors of chronic pain in older adults with and without intellectual disability in Australia.
- Author
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Wark, Stuart, Hussain, Rafat, Janicki, Matthew P., Knox, Marie, and Parmenter, Trevor
- Subjects
- *
CHRONIC pain , *CROSS-sectional method , *MULTIVARIATE analysis , *ORAL diseases , *RISK assessment , *SURVEYS , *INDEPENDENT living , *OSTEOARTHRITIS , *ACCIDENTAL falls , *AFFECTIVE disorders , *AGING , *RESEARCH funding , *INTELLECTUAL disabilities , *PAIN management , *DISEASE risk factors , *MIDDLE age , *OLD age - Abstract
There is little research comparatively assessing prevalence of pain between older people either with or without intellectual disability. This paper explores health and social factors associated with chronic pain in these two groups. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Inclusion criteria were adults either with or without intellectual disability, aged 60 years and older, and currently living in community-settings. Univariate and multivariable analyses were undertaken on a sample of 391 adults with intellectual disability and 920 adults without intellectual disability. Key findings included higher prevalence of pain in the intellectual disability group, along with higher rates of osteoarthritis, falls, oral health problems, and mood disorders. Mitigating risk factors for conditions that cause chronic pain in older adults is crucial. As longevity increases, the healthcare sector needs to prioritise chronic pain management for people with intellectual disabilities through appropriate treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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46. Effectively supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) young people with their mental health and wellbeing – does this matter or exist in Australia?
- Author
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Luu, Betty, Fox, Levi, McVeigh, Mary Jo, and Ravulo, Jioji
- Subjects
- *
PSYCHIATRIC diagnosis , *WELL-being , *CINAHL database , *PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems , *MEDICAL databases , *HEALTH education , *PRIVACY , *MINORITIES , *HEALTH services accessibility , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *COMMUNICATION barriers , *MENTAL health , *INDIVIDUALIZED medicine , *EMOTIONAL trauma , *CREATIVE ability , *SOCIAL stigma , *SELF-efficacy , *HEALTH literacy , *MEDICAL care use , *CULTURAL competence , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *HEALTH , *INFORMATION resources , *MEDICAL ethics , *PHYSICIAN practice patterns , *MEDLINE , *MENTAL health services , *ERIC (Information retrieval system) , *SOCIAL integration - Abstract
This paper presents a systematic review that assessed the different types of mental health programs and interventions available for young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia, and identified core elements of practice for supporting the mental health of CALD youth, and key barriers that preclude CALD youth from engaging with mental health services. A total of 19 articles met inclusion criteria and a total of six distinct practices were identified: (1) personalization, identity and recognition of trauma; (2) creative expression; (3) cultural competence; (4) self-efficacy and empowerment; (5) social connections and relationships; and (6) information and content delivery. Key barriers related to engagement with CALD youth mental health programs included language and literacy barriers, stigma and shame, and service providers' limited cultural competency, and lack of diverse understandings of wellbeing. The findings from this review suggest several avenues for ensuring practice that effectively meets the unique mental health needs of CALD young people and reduces barriers to their access and engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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47. The role of microboards in enhancing quality of life for children with intellectual disability and their families.
- Author
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Taylor, Susan, David, Jennifer, Dew, Angela, and Watson, Joanne
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- *
FAMILIES & psychology , *HEALTH services administration , *PATIENTS' families , *HEALTH literacy , *MEDICAL personnel , *HEALTH policy , *FAMILIES , *CONFIDENCE , *INTELLECTUAL disabilities , *QUALITY of life , *FAMILY-centered care , *ABILITY , *PARENTS of children with disabilities , *QUALITY assurance , *SOCIAL support , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *TRAINING , *WELL-being , *BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL model , *CHILDREN - Abstract
Disability support systems have not consistently used family‐centered practices when supporting families of children with disability. Families have experienced structural and interpersonal barriers that have negatively impacted not only their child's quality of life, but also family quality of life (FQOL). The eight domains of QOL as defined by the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities [IASSID] are reflected in a family‐centered model of support developed for children and young people by Microboards Australia. The Microboards for Children [MB4C] model reflects best family centered practice based on principles that integrate well with recognised FQOL domains such as family relationships, support from other people and from disability‐related services, and leisure and enjoyment of life. The MB4C model aims to enhance families' knowledge, skills, confidence, and sense of wellbeing to support them develop a vision for an active, socially connected, and happy future with their child. The model consists of a structured network of formal and informal support to enhance not only their child or young person's personal relationships, social networks, and community inclusion but also to enable parents and siblings to access education, employment and to enjoy life in their community – all indicators of FQOL. In this paper we explore how these features of MB4C policies and practice align with family‐centered practice principles and with FQOL domains. We argue that the MB4C model provides an example of how FQOL may be enhanced by a holistic family‐centered disability service system that works in partnership with families with disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Internal locus of control buffers the impact of daily stressors on Australian Farmers' well‐being: A cross‐sectional study.
- Author
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Smallwood, Rachael, Curcio, Adam, and Rebar, Amanda L.
- Subjects
WELL-being ,SUICIDE ,PSYCHOLOGY of agricultural laborers ,SELF-evaluation ,CROSS-sectional method ,REGRESSION analysis ,LOCUS of control ,RESEARCH funding ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,STATISTICAL sampling ,DATA analysis software ,PSYCHOLOGICAL stress ,PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience - Abstract
Objective: Farmers are prone to poor well‐being and are at higher risks of suicide than the general population. The aim of this study was to understand whether the negative impact of daily stressors on Australian farmers' well‐being could be buffered through a strong internal locus of control – a strong sense of control over what happens in life. Methods: Australian farmers self‐reported their well‐being, daily stress, and locus of control. Design: Cross‐sectional via pen‐and‐paper survey. Setting: Participants completed the surveys at the beginning of agricultural management training courses. Participants: Australian farmers (N = 129, M age = 39 ± 12 years, 54.7% male). Main Outcome Measures Internal and external locus of control, daily stress, and subjective well‐being. Results: More daily stressors were associated to poorer well‐being, regardless of external locus of control; however, farmers with a stronger internal locus of control were buffered from the negative impacts of daily stressors. That is, daily stressors were not significantly associated with well‐being for farmers with a strong internal locus of control. Conclusions: Internal locus of control may be a significant factor in supporting good well‐being for farmers. Further research should investigate how to enhance internal locus of control amongst this population. It may be that interventions to enhance internal locus of control in farmers could improve their well‐being and productivity, good outcomes for the individual farmers, and global society overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Children's Preferences for Biophilic Design In Vertical Schools.
- Author
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Aminpour, Fatemeh
- Subjects
INTERIOR decoration ,ROOF gardening ,SCHOOL grounds ,SCHOOL environment ,THEMATIC analysis ,SCHOOL children - Abstract
Children's need for contact with nature is critical to their well-being, especially in school environments where they spend the majority of their daytime. Vertical schools are increasingly built in high-density neighborhoods; however, due to their limited access to outdoor environments, they may struggle to offer children a sustained engagement with nature. This participatory study explored children's perspectives on their preferences for biophilic design within three vertical schools in Australia. Thematic analysis of children's narratives indicated their preferences for nature across the three categories of direct and indirect experience of nature, and in the nature of the space. The discussion argues that biophilic design can be incorporated in this school typology through the design of terraces, rooftop gardens, school grounds, windows, interior decoration and climbing play equipment. Building more vertical schools in the future seems inevitable. This paper argues that design of the vertical environment with reference to children's observations and preferences can improve children's contact with nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
50. Telling tales: sharing humorous education stories to enhance teacher wellbeing and learning.
- Author
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Mead, Nadia
- Subjects
WELL-being ,WIT & humor ,WORK ,RESEARCH methodology ,INTERVIEWING ,LEARNING ,TEACHERS ,EXPERIENTIAL learning ,THEMATIC analysis ,STORYTELLING ,REFLECTION (Philosophy) - Abstract
Sharing personal teaching stories provides opportunities for enhanced wellbeing and learning for both experienced and pre-service teachers. This paper shares the results of a qualitative pilot study that used narrative inquiry to collect and share teacher stories. The research was conducted in two phases. The first phase collected humorous stories from experienced teachers recalled from the first years of their teaching career. Thematic data analysis investigated the wellbeing and learning impact on those teachers when sharing their stories. The second phase invited pre-service teachers to read and evaluate the impact of humorous stories when preparing for their first school placements. Thematic data analysis investigated the wellbeing and learning impact on pre-service teachers reading these stories. The analysis from both phases demonstrated recurring themes regarding the importance of teacher-student relationships for teacher wellbeing. The results also showed that the sharing and reading of stories had beneficial outcomes such as enhanced wellbeing and enhanced learning for both the teacher storytellers and the pre-service teacher readers. This study provides evidence that the inclusion of real-life stories offers a valuable addition to Initial Teacher Education programs as a way of developing professional and reflective practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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